Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for an investigation into the protests that led to her ousting.
In her first public statement since her abrupt resignation and flight abroad last week, Hasina demanded accountability for the violence and vandalism that occurred during the unrest.
"I demand that those involved in these killings and acts of vandalism be properly investigated and the culprits be identified and punished," she stated through a written message delivered by her US-based son.
The protests, which began as peaceful student demonstrations against job quotas for descendants of war veterans, escalated into widespread civil unrest. The situation deteriorated further, resulting in the deaths of over 450 people.
Hasina, who had been in power since January 2009, fled by helicopter to India a week ago as protesters flooded the streets of Dhaka, marking a dramatic end to her iron-fisted tenure.
A court in Bangladesh has since opened a murder investigation into Hasina and six top figures from her administration over the police killing of a man during the civil unrest.
The case, filed by lawyer Mamun Mia on behalf of a private citizen, accuses the seven of responsibility for the death of a grocery store owner shot dead by police on July 19. The Dhaka Metropolitan Court has ordered police to accept the murder case, initiating the first step in a criminal investigation under Bangladeshi law.
The new caretaker administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, faces the monumental task of steering democratic reforms. Yunus, who returned from Europe three days after Hasina's ouster, has taken office as "chief adviser" and aims to hold elections within a few months.
The administration has emphasized its commitment to human rights and vowed to protect foreign investments, crucial for Bangladesh's garment industry, which accounts for around 85 percent of its $55 billion in annual exports.
Foreign Minister Touhid Hossain assured diplomats that the government is "very serious about human rights" and will not allow any further violence or damages. "All those committing such crimes will be investigated," he added.
Despite the turmoil, the new administration has no intention of banning Hasina's Awami League party, acknowledging its major contributions to the country's independence movement.
"The party has made many contributions to Bangladesh — we don’t deny this," said Home Minister Sakhawat Hossain. "When the election comes, (they should) contest the elections."
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